Hoping dinner paves the way for a naughty tryst? While nibbles like nuts and dark chocolate turn up the heat, other eats pull the plug on passion. While their side effects don’t kick in immediately, spare yourself from so-so sex and avoid these lesser-known anti-aphrodisiacs pre-lovemaking. Read more: Food and Sex - Foods to Avoid Before Sex - Woman's Day less

Hoping dinner paves the way for a naughty tryst? While nibbles like nuts and dark chocolate turn up the heat, other eats pull the plug on passion. While their side effects don’t kick in immediately, spare ... more

Photo: Tom Merton, Getty Images

Hoping dinner paves the way for a naughty tryst? While nibbles like... Photo-4449033.60103 - Times Union

Although this festival favorite is certainly a suggestive treat, noshing
on wieners isn’t a good-time guarantee. The summer staple’s high
saturated fat content clogs the penile and vaginal arteries, ... more

Photo: Lauri Patterson, Getty Images

Although this festival favorite is certainly a suggestive treat,... Photo-4449032.60103 - Times Union

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Peppermint

Bad breath may be a turn-off, but freshening it up might not help your
situation in the sack. The menthol in peppermint has been shown to
reduce testosterone levels, sending sex drive plummeting, says Dr.
Richard. Chomping on peppermint-flavored gum means more bad news, since
chewing brings air into your system, making you burp. While moans and
grunts may enhance sex, belches are better left out of the soundtrack.
If mint’s a must before a romp, try peppermint tea. It’s relatively low
in menthol and it’s better than gum for digestion, says Robyn Youkilis, a
certified health coach and founder of Your Healthiest You.

Bad breath may be a turn-off, but freshening it up might not help your
situation in the sack. The menthol in peppermint has been shown to
reduce testosterone levels, sending sex drive plummeting, says Dr. ... more

Photo: MoosyElk, Getty Images

Bad breath may be a turn-off, but freshening it up might not help... Photo-4449031.60103 - Times Union

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Tonic water

If your drink of choice is gin and tonic, you may want to save it for
nights when nookie isn’t on the menu. Bubbly beverages, including soda
and seltzer, can make you gassy and bloated (not a sexy combo!), says
Yvonne K. Fulbright, PhD, a certified sex educator, sexologist and
author of The Better Sex Guide to Extraordinary Lovemaking.
Dr. Richard adds that quinine—the ingredient that gives tonic water its
bitter taste—may temporarily lower testosterone levels and even sperm
count, bad news for anyone trying to get pregnant. For a better
beverage, turn to unsweetened tea, which boosts your mood, improves focus and promotes better blood flow throughout the body, an ideal set-up for sex.

If your drink of choice is gin and tonic, you may want to save it for
nights when nookie isn’t on the menu. Bubbly beverages, including soda
and seltzer, can make you gassy and bloated (not a sexy ... more

Photo: Chayathonwong, Getty Images

If your drink of choice is gin and tonic, you may want to save it... Photo-4449030.60103 - Times Union

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Tonic water

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.60103 - Times Union

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French fries

Do you want fries with that? If you’re hoping to get lucky, your man’s
answer should be “no.” As with hot dogs, the trans-fat in fries can
negatively impact testosterone levels and circulation. Fries’ high salt
content also can make it trickier for men with high blood pressure to
stay erect. For healthy folks, the sodium can bring on the not-so-sexy
sensation of bloating. If you’re craving potato, eat a baked one
instead, suggests Dr. Richard. It releases the feel-good chemical
dopamine, improving your time between the sheets. less

Do you want fries with that? If you’re hoping to get lucky, your man’s
answer should be “no.” As with hot dogs, the trans-fat in fries can
negatively impact testosterone levels and circulation. ... more

Photo: Ciaran Griffin, Getty Images

Do you want fries with that? If you’re hoping to get lucky, your... Photo-4449029.60103 - Times Union

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Tofu

Consider taming your tofu habit, at least for tonight. With high amounts
of plant-based phytoestrogens, a lot of the soy-based food can up
estrogen levels, says Dr. Richard. And extra estrogen is a sex-drive stealer
in men and women. As a vegetarian-friendly alternative, whip up some
eggs. High in vitamins B5 and B6, the breakfast staple fights stress and
balances hormones for a healthier libido. less

Consider taming your tofu habit, at least for tonight. With high amounts
of plant-based phytoestrogens, a lot of the soy-based food can up
estrogen levels, says Dr. Richard. And extra estrogen is a ... more

This simple solution for dinner is also one of the simplest ways to kill
the mood. All canned foods’ high sodium levels can make you gassy since
the salt causes you to retain fluid, explains Dr. Fulbright. If you
can’t kick cans to the curb, at least wash the contents in a mesh
strainer or soak the food in water for about 20 minutes to nix some of
the salt, recommends Youkilis. less

This simple solution for dinner is also one of the simplest ways to kill
the mood. All canned foods’ high sodium levels can make you gassy since
the salt causes you to retain fluid, explains Dr. ... more

Photo: Fotofermer, Getty Images

This simple solution for dinner is also one of the simplest ways to... Photo-4449027.60103 - Times Union

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If a glass of Malbec sets the mood, a whole bottle should really get
things going, right? Wrong—too much booze can turn that initial buzz
into a buzz kill. Alcohol lowers your sensitivity to touch and weakens
orgasms, says Dr. Richard. A 2008 University of Washington study
also found that sober men maintained their erections better than their
drunk counterparts. So if you’re hoping to score, limit your liquor to
two drinks each. less

If a glass of Malbec sets the mood, a whole bottle should really get
things going, right? Wrong—too much booze can turn that initial buzz
into a buzz kill. Alcohol lowers your sensitivity to touch and ... more

Photo: Pekka Jaakkola, Getty Images

If a glass of Malbec sets the mood, a whole bottle should really... Photo-4449026.60103 - Times Union

Image 10 of 14

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.60103 - Times Union

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Bowls of oatmeal

There’s no doubt that this morning munch has a slew of health benefits.
In fact, oatmeal helps your body produce the stress-reducer known as
serotonin, a moderate amount of which is good for your sex drive. But
Dr. Richard says bowl after bowl in a single sitting has the opposite
effect, lowering sexual desire. Plus, oatmeal’s high fiber content also
can lead to that unpleasant, gassy feeling. Again, serving up eggs
should up your chances for A.M. fun. less

There’s no doubt that this morning munch has a slew of health benefits.
In fact, oatmeal helps your body produce the stress-reducer known as
serotonin, a moderate amount of which is good for your sex ... more

Photo: J Shepherd, Getty Images

There’s no doubt that this morning munch has a slew of health... Photo-4449025.60103 - Times Union

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Fruit after a meal

Sucking on strawberries sounds like a sexy post-dinner treat. Nope!
Fruits digest pretty quickly when there’s no slow-to-digest supper
holding them back. This lag time can cause tummy troubles, like
bloating, cramping and bowel problems, says Youkilis. A better idea:
Wait at least two hours after a hefty dinner until you start a
fruit-for-all. less

Sucking on strawberries sounds like a sexy post-dinner treat. Nope!
Fruits digest pretty quickly when there’s no slow-to-digest supper
holding them back. This lag time can cause tummy troubles, like ... more

Keeping you and your partner satisfied takes all the energy you can get.
Even though energy drinks seem like stamina saviors, the hefty doses of
sugar and caffeine pair up for only a temporary surge, resulting in a
crash later, says David Zinczecko in his Eat This, Not That
series of books. In other words, your energy may not last long enough
to get you to the finish line. Too much sugar also can lower
testosterone levels, zapping libido. Youkilis suggests sipping black
currant juice, which nourishes the adrenal glands for a natural,
enduring energy boost. less

Keeping you and your partner satisfied takes all the energy you can get.
Even though energy drinks seem like stamina saviors, the hefty doses of
sugar and caffeine pair up for only a temporary surge, ... more

Photo: Foodcollection RF, Getty Images

Keeping you and your partner satisfied takes all the energy you can... Photo-4449023.60103 - Times Union